The Universal Timekeepers

Atoms are unfathomably tiny. It takes fifteen million trillion of them to make up a single poppy seed—give or take a few billion. And there’s hardly anything to them: atoms are more than 99.9999999999 percent empty space. Yet scientists have learned to count these slivers of near nothingness with precision and to peer into their internal states. In looking so closely, we have learned that atoms, because of their inimitable signatures and imperturbable internal clocks, are little archives holding the secrets of the past. David J. Helfand reconstructs the history of the universe—back to its first microsecond 13.8 billion years ago—with the help of atoms. He shows how, by using detectors and reactors, microscopes and telescopes, we can decode the tales these infinitesimal particles tell, answering questions such as: Is a medieval illustrated prayer book real or forged? How did maize cultivation spread from the highlands of central Mexico to New England? What was Earth’s climate like before humans emerged? Where can we find clues to identify the culprit in the demise of the dinosaurs? When did our planet and solar system form? Can we trace the births of atoms in the cores of massive stars or even glimpse the origins of the universe itself? A lively and inviting introduction to the building blocks of everything we know, The Universal Timekeepers demonstrates the power of science to unveil the mysteries of unreachably remote times and places.

Long ago, during our era, a gigantic spaceship travels silently through a galaxy far away from our Earth. For more than a hundred generations, the ship has been home to the growlers, a savage species who have never seen their home planet, Kezmara. As the ship continues on it's course, the commander understands his orders are to locate the universal collector - an indestructible object that stores all essential data occurring during each era - on planet Ardon and transport it to Kezmara. However, unbeknownst to the leaders of Kezmara, the commander is about to take matters into his own hands. After the commander issues new orders for the growlers to take control of the collector, enslave the inhabitants of Ardon, and create a new home for themselves, the ship's inhabitants have no idea of what or whom they are about to encounter on the strange planet. Meanwhile on Ardon, the timekeeper and his daughter, Liana, are prepared to do everything in their power to defend the collector, including moving it to another planet. But when the timekeeper discovers his people are not prepared for what they are about to face, he realizes the responsibility for saving the collector lies within him. In this intriguing science fiction tale, a timekeeper and his cohorts risk everything as they battle to save the collector, their species, and their planet from an evil alien force determined to carry out their mission.

A middle-grade fantasy novel about a half-angel, half-mermaid discovering her identity and fighting to protect the Laws of the Universe and the fate of the realms of land, sea and sky from the forces of evil. From the shore, the sky, and the depths of the sea, an epic adventure awaits. Stella Merriss has never felt like she belonged anywhere—her family was always on the run. During a daring escape her parents suddenly disappear into stormy, shark-infested waters. Alone and unsure of her future, she learns the truth: that she’s actually half angel, half mermaid. Stella has no choice but to join an elite angel apprenticeship program where—despite having to hide her illegal dual nature—she finally feels as though she has found a home. But villainous forces are gathering to strike against Stella’s newfound home and attack the three Timekeepers who spin and weave the fateful Thread of Life. Evil Lord Sylvain and his army will stop at nothing to corrupt the Laws of the Universe and bend them toward his own vile agenda. A child of land, sea, and sky is the only obstacle standing in his way. In this battle between good and evil, Stella and her friends must defend against the armies of Lord Sylvain or see the realms of land, sea, and sky plunged into chaos.

Cheat death—or at least delay it—with this accessible look into the quest for immortality, and what it means for human civilization. Are humans close to living forever? With advances in medicine and new therapies that prolong life expectancy, we are on track to make aging even more manageable. This new entry in the exciting Alice in Futureland series explores both the science and cultural impulse behind extending lifespans, and the numerous ways the quest for eternity forces us to reevaluate what it means to be human. Some experts believe that we haven’t fully realized our true human potential, and we are about to embark on an extraordinary evolutionary shift. Hacking Immortality answers all your burning questions, including: -Can humans cheat death? -What is your grim age? -Will 100 be the new 40? -Will we become software? As reality suddenly catches up to science fiction, Hacking Immortality gives the truth on the state of humanity—and all its possible futures.

2022 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE AWARDS WINNER — HISTORY: GENERAL ". . . inherently interesting, unique, and highly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and academic library Physics of Time & Scientific Measurement history collections, and supplemental curriculum studies lists.” —Midwest Book Review "A wonderful look into understanding and recording time, Orzel’s latest is appropriate for all readers who are curious about those ticks and tocks that mark nearly every aspect of our lives." —Booklist “A thorough, enjoyable exploration of the history and science behind measuring time.” —Foreword Reviews It’s all a matter of time—literally. From the movements of the spheres to the slipperiness of relativity, the story of science unfolds through the fascinating history of humanity’s efforts to keep time. Our modern lives are ruled by clocks and watches, smartphone apps and calendar programs. While our gadgets may be new, however, the drive to measure and master time is anything but—and in A Brief History of Timekeeping, Chad Orzel traces the path from Stonehenge to your smartphone. Predating written language and marching on through human history, the desire for ever-better timekeeping has spurred technological innovation and sparked theories that radically reshaped our understanding of the universe and our place in it. Orzel, a physicist and the bestselling author of Breakfast with Einstein and How to Teach Quantum Physics to Your Dog continues his tradition of demystifying thorny scientific concepts by using the clocks and calendars central to our everyday activities as a jumping-off point to explore the science underlying the ways we keep track of our time. Ancient solstice markers (which still work perfectly 5,000 years later) depend on the basic astrophysics of our solar system; mechanical clocks owe their development to Newtonian physics; and the ultra-precise atomic timekeeping that enables GPS hinges on the predictable oddities of quantum mechanics. Along the way, Orzel visits the delicate negotiations involved in Gregorian calendar reform, the intricate and entirely unique system employed by the Maya, and how the problem of synchronizing clocks at different locations ultimately required us to abandon the idea of time as an absolute and universal quantity. Sharp and engaging, A Brief History of Timekeeping is a story not just about the science of sundials, sandglasses, and mechanical clocks, but also the politics of calendars and time zones, the philosophy of measurement, and the nature of space and time itself. For those interested in science, technology, or history, or anyone who’s ever wondered about the instruments that divide our days into moments: the time you spend reading this book may fly, and it is certain to be well spent.